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Defiant Massie tells supporters after loss to Trump-backed challenger: 'We didn't bend the knee'

Trump backed Gallrein against Massie and later issued a statement attacking the congressman.

Defiant Massie tells supporters after loss to Trump-backed challenger: 'We didn't bend the knee'
Image · The Independent

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Outlet credibilityThe Independent77/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
tl;dr

Rep. Thomas Massie conceded Kentucky’s Republican primary to Ed Gallrein, who was backed by President Donald Trump. Massie told supporters they “didn’t bend the knee” and pointed to his role in securing the release of Epstein-related files.

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Donald Trump R · President of the United States
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Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who backed Gallrein and criticized Massie after the primary

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Republican House candidate who defeated Massie in the Kentucky primary

Gallrein's version of this story ↗
Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Kentucky representative who lost his Republican primary and conceded to Ed Gallrein

Massie's version of this story ↗
Liz Cheney
Former U.S. Representative (R-WY)

Former congresswoman cited as a comparison to Massie

Marjorie Taylor Greene
Former U.S. Representative (R-GA)

Former congresswoman who criticized the effect of Massie’s defeat on the Republican Party

Erin Houchin
R · IN-9

Indiana representative whose post about informing Trump of Massie’s loss drew a response from Massie’s campaign account

Ro Khanna
D · CA-17

California representative who campaigned with Massie and Greene for release of the Epstein files

Part of a bigger story

17 OUTLETS
Massie and Cassidy Lose Primaries After Trump Backs Challengers

Thomas Massie lost Kentucky's Republican primary to Trump-backed Ed Gallrein, and Bill Cassidy finished third in Louisiana's Republican Senate primary. Left-leaning outlets emphasize Trump's campaign against Massie and consider whether defeating Republican dissenters could backfire, while also treating the result as a test of his influence. Center outlets focus on Trump's influence in GOP primaries and the fallout, including Senate Republicans' response and whether departing lawmakers may challenge his agenda. Right-leaning outlets stress Trump's strength in primaries and present Massie's race as a test of whether the Tea Party's small-government politics survived his rise.

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